Fortschr Med Orig. 2001 ; 119 Suppl 1(): 36-41.

[Family physician's interventions and prescribing practice. Results of the GAD-P study]

Wittchen HU, Hoyer J, HÃƒÂ¶fler M, Krause P.

Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden und Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, München.

More than two thirds of all GAD patients are recognized as cases with mental disorders, only one third is correctly diagnosed. The paper shows that this has significant implications. 36%--as compared to 23% of those with major depression--receive no intervention. Of those recognized at least as a case the majority is treated by the GP, 9% are only referred to specialists, in addition to another 20% that are treated by the GP and referred as well. Almost all patients receive medication, however, only few medications that match scientific guidelines for GAD-specific treatments, namely SNRI, behavioural psychotherapy or SSRI. Also the high degree of comedication as well as high prescription rates for sedatives and phytotonics needs highlightening. The findings overall reveal an unsatisfactory picture of current treatment strategies for GAD patients in primary--especially if compared to depression. Treatments of first choice, SNRI (Venlafaxine SR) and behavioural psychotherapy are prescribed to only the minority of GAD sufferers.